Officials Say These 20-Pound Rodents Are a Growing Problem in Several States

Louisiana officials are trying to remove 400,000 of them every year. Maryland spent two decades and $30 million hunting them down. California farmers are finding their almond orchards under siege. The culprit? A South American rodent that can weigh over 20 pounds, sports bright orange teeth, and breeds so prolifically that a single female can produce around 200 offspring in her lifetime.

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kristen oaks
USDA Issues Final Emergency Livestock Relief Program Payments For 2023 And 2024 Drought, Flood And Wildfire Losses

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced Friday U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion. Eligible applicants who applied for ELRP 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) assistance will receive 100% of their eligible calculated payment in a single lump sum. USDA is also making a second payment to producers who previously received their initial factored payment for ELRP 2023 and 2024 assistance for losses due to eligible drought and wildfires.

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Livestock, USDAdon molino
Love is Sweet: Love Stories from the Farm

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, one of the sweetest days of the year and a day to celebrate those you cherish. Many Americans plan to incorporate treats into their holiday, with the National Retail Federation finding that 56% of Americans planning to give a Valentine’s Day gift have their eye on candy. We are grateful to help you celebrate, whether you’re gifting a heart-shaped box of chocolates or whipping up a home-baked dessert.  

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Farmer's Forecast - Weekend Storm Watch

It looks like a decent wave of rain will move through Louisiana Saturday evening into Sunday morning. This could bring isolated severe weather, with damaging wind being the main concern. I also think this will bring 1-2 inches of rain across most of the state. Even if you miss out on the stronger storms, I expect wind gusts in the 30-35 mph range Saturday evening into Sunday.

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Weatherkristen oaks
Louisiana Weekly Climate Summary - January 28 – February 03, 2026

A pair of cold fronts provided reinforcing surges of cold air but neither delivered active/severe weather to the state.  The first front rolled through Louisiana late on Jan 29 into the morning of Jan 30. The second cold front was at the end of the 7-day run, arriving in the northwestern parishes on the evening of Feb 3 and exiting the state by the mid/late morning on Feb 4. 

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Weatherkristen oaks
Letlow Introduces Empowering Rural Communities Act

Congresswoman Julia Letlow today filed legislation to provide increased support for rural communities and more transparency in federal spending. The Empowering Rural Communities Act provides greater assistance for rural communities seeking federal grants while requiring the federal government to publicly disclose the results achieved by USDA Rural Development spending.

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kristen oaks